[pom19]

I know that you keep the TVA muscles pulled in throughout the day, but i wasn´t sure about if deadlift could make you square.

I´m sorry if my question is silly.

Hi Ceci!

Sorry I have been off for some time, and I did not receive any notifications to my email about your post, either! So I apologize.

As for your question, it is a very good question, in fact. Exercises in which you bear weight in your upper body while pushing through with your lower body (deadlifts, squats, lunges, etc) ALL work the core muscles. I think I mentioned this earlier in one of my posts. It will only strengthen them (as opposed to building them) though, as your core muscles are not a primary muscle worked in the exercise. So, no need to worry!

In reference to the photo you posted, I am assuming you posted it to show what boxy look you do NOT want. I have a couple of things to say about these girls, if you don't mind: 1) They do not look like they lift much at all to me. They look more like cardio obsessed chicks or light-lifting chicks, as they have hardly any muscle tone (or some slight muscle tone) or curves at all. 2) These ladies primarily have genetics working against them. There are different body types that we all work with. I am a pear. These ladies look like bananas or rectangles, which actually most women are (45% of women are this body type). This just means that they will have to work a lot harder to get a curvy look, the one for which you are looking... And, actually, the one woman to the far left looks like an apple, or otherwise known as an inverted triangle, which means her hips are that much smaller than her upper body!

And Pom, thanks for the link! I never heard of Eva Andressa. It is great to learn about other body builders! However, I do not see how that link answers Ceci's question...? Also, about your comment on the photo that Ceci posted: it is not a matter of them not having enough fat, as I assure you their fat would not go their hips but rather to their waists (the center and right) or to their upper body (the left). Fat only works in favor of those who have the right body type, and these women don't ("right" being in reference to what we all seem to agree on as what is attractive). The only way these women in the photo can obtain a curvier (in an attractive curvy way) figure naturally is by lifting very heavy weights for their glutes and thighs to build muscle. There is no such thing as a natural form being hour glass, as that is also a body type that one is born with. I am a pear (otherwise known as a triangle), and nothing will ever change that (at least, naturally speaking), so "pear" is the "natural form" for me. And yes, if one lifts they should be consuming enough protein and proper food, but that will not necessarily avoid the "boxy look" problem.

Eva does weight training and has a beautiful curvy body. Ceci was concerned about weight lifting will make her boxy. I hope you see why I sent her that link. Blessings...